Chopsticks

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved structure of chopsticks, which can address the shortcomings of typical chopsticks. The lateral portion of the clamping end of the chopstick body has a recessed groove, which is arranged along the extension of the clamping end. One end of the recessed groove passes through the flange of the clamping end. The lateral portion of the clamping end increases contact area and improves the friction effect for improved gripping stability. The area of the flange of the clamping end decreases, enabling users to insert chopsticks A more easily into food and guaranteeing ease-of-operation with better applicability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an improved structure ofchopsticks, and more particularly to innovative chopsticks.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

Chopsticks are an indispensable tool that is widely used in the everydaylife of Chinese people, such as: serving rice, noodles and vegetables,or even slippery food, e.g. spiced eggs, rolled meat, sausage and maize,etc.

As chopsticks are typically designed with columnar ends (circular orangle columns) to avoid personal injury, the narrow and slippery contactsurface of two chopsticks often makes it difficult to firmly grip food.Moreover, when users intend to insert the ends of chopsticks into spicedeggs and rolled meat, it would be embarrassing to have food slip or rollaway due to the shortcomings of typical chopsticks in certain aspects.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it wouldbe an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that cansignificantly improve efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention ofpracticability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years ofexperience in the production, development and design of relatedproducts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is the lateral portion 21of the clamping end 20 having a recessed groove 30. The recessed groove30 is arranged along the extension of the clamping end 20, as shown inFIG. 2. One end of the recessed groove 30 passes through the flange 22of the clamping end 20, allowing the lateral portion 21 of clamping end20 to increase the contact area and to improve the friction effect forimproved gripping stability without slipping. Furthermore, the area ofthe flange 22 of clamping end 20 could be decreased, enabling users toinsert chopsticks A more easily into food (e.g. spiced eggs, rolledmeat), and guaranteeing ease-of-operation with better applicability.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of recessed groove of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the application of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective and sectional view of the application of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the recessedgroove of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the configuration of therecessed groove of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows perspective views of recessed grooves of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be morereadily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the followingdetailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-5 depict preferred embodiments of improved chopsticks structureof the present invention. The embodiments are provided only forexplanatory purposes. The scope of the invention is set by the patentclaims.

Said chopsticks A of columnar shape of predefined length form a grippingend 10 and a clamping end 20. The clamping end 20 contains a lateralportion 21 and flange 22. The lateral portion 21 of the clamping end 20is provided with a recessed groove 30, which is arranged along theextension of the clamping end 20. The recessed groove 30 may passthrough the flange 22 along one end of the clamping end 20, as shown inFIG. 2, or the recessed groove 30 is arranged at a preset location ofthe lateral portion 21, as shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 3, therecessed groove 30 is available with 1-3 or more patterns.

The recessed groove 30 has V-shaped, circular and zigzag profiles, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 6. An antiskid slot 23 is assembled onto thelateral portion 21 of said clamping end 20.

Said recessed groove 30 could be extended in straight, oblique orwinding shapes, as shown in FIG. 8.

Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention isoperable.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the flange 22 of chopsticks A have a recessedgroove 30, so when the chopsticks A are used to grip vegetables or meat,the gripping state between the flanges 22 of the chopsticks A allows theobject 40 to be partially squeezed into the recessed groove 30.Moreover, the lateral portion 21 of the chopsticks A has an antiskidslot 23, so that the object 40 partially contacts the antiskid slot 23with better contact and friction effect.

Referring to FIG. 5, when said chopsticks A are used to penetrate intospiced eggs, rolled meat, sausage and maize, etc, the recessed groove 30on the flange 22 of chopsticks A allows the object 40B to be partiallysqueezed into it, preventing any slippage of food with the help ofantiskid slot 23 on the lateral portion 21.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. An article comprising: a chopstick having a columnarshape and a length and an outer surface, said chopstick having agripping end and a clamping end, said clamping end having a flat endsurface opposite said gripping end, said chopstick having a longitudinalaxis, said clamping portion having a recessed groove opening at saidflat end surface, said recessed groove tapering so as to have a widthdimension at said flat end surface that is greater than a widthdimension away from said flat end surface, said recessed groove having agreater width at said outer surface than a width inwardly thereof, saidrecessed groove extending in generally parallel relation to saidlongitudinal axis.
 7. The article of claim 6, said clamping end having aplurality of circumferential slots extending therearound.